2010 is the year of Sport. eginning with the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, 2010 World cup is also waiting for sports mania. If the sports games have effect on causing excitement and amusement to people, what is the effect this game has on international relations? The Sookmyung Times (SMT) met Professor Cho Namki (CHOto obtain about study of Sports Diplomacy.
What is Sports Diplomacy? 
Diplomacy means negotiating and dealing with international disputes. The power which works in international relations has two ways, hard power and soft power. Hard power uses force to change another action with military threat or economic sanction. However, soft power leads to the other country’s voluntary action with spiritual value or cultural approach. In the past, hard power was more important in international relations, but recently the importance of soft power has been increasing. Especially, in that sport is a current word in the whole world, it is more effective to improve friendships between nations.
Listen to Sports Diplomacy from the Professor
FIFA
SMT What is the most important characteristic for studying Sports Diplomacy?
CHO Needless to say, diplomatic skill and knowledge about sports are very important, but understanding about cultural differences is also. Especially, Yeoui (Easternmanners) and Western manners or etiquette have many differences. So, ability to select how to behave in each situation is very important. Every behavior of diplomats could influence the nation.
SMT What is the route of students who want to be educated about Sports Diplomacy?
CHO In the case of SMU's graduate program, the course is supposed to train specialists who work for non-governmental diplomacy through sports interchange. Generally, students aim to work in international sportsorganizations such as IOC (International Olympic Committee). After entering such organizations, it is their main business to raise Korean influence in international society through sports. When Korea participates in international sports games, it has effect to vitalize interchange lively and smoothly between Korea and the rest of the world, Asian society, and even North Korea. For this reason, the role of sports diplomats and cultivating of sports diplomats is becoming more important.
SMT Are there stereotypes or misunderstanding? 
CHO oncerning Sports Diplomacy, most of students only think of economic effect and they think that diplomatic also be accomplished for this effect. It is able to expect to raise economic effect through sports diplomacy activities. However this economic effect is an incidental part in the diplomatic field. It might be plain speech, but sports diplomats need a sense of mission for solving international arguments and maintaining world peace. A genuine sports diplomat is not an entrepreneur who pursues profit but a volunteer who serves for the peace of mankind.
CHO Namki
Ed. M. & Ed. D. at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City
International Affair Manager at 2006 World University Judo Championship Organization
Marketing Manager at Bogota Golf & Sport in New York City
On-Course Manager at Crystal Springs Golf Resort in New York State
Certified at PAT (Playing Ability Test) Hosted by PGA of America
The Power to Break Cold War - the Example of Sports Diplomacy
1) Ping-Pong Diplomacy
2) The Opening of Sydney Olympic 2000 
